Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Phantoms defender Elvis Lamumba

In a game that saw multiple interruptions due to stormy weather, the Seacoast United Phantoms battled the Brooklyn Italians on Sunday night to a 0-0 draw.

The Phantoms were showing their creativity early on, involving midfielders Christian Rodriguez, Quinn Conner, Andrew Ruga, and Brian Francolini in finding strikers Paul Branchi and Frantzdy Pierrot. The back four of Kevin Andino, Alex Elia, Elvis Lamumba, and Ryan Simpson were able to contain the speed of Brooklyn’s Yvener Gurrier and quick attack out of the midfield.

At 36:22, the field was cleared when lightning was visible, and a mandatory 30 minute delay began. Just 2 minutes and 30 seconds after resuming play lightning was spotted again, and the teams cleared the field once more.

Brooklyn looked to be the more dangerous side in the last 15 minutes of the match, creating several chances in the Phantoms end of the field. In the 85th minute, the Italians shot from a free kick wide left hit the far right goalpost for the closest either team would come in scoring on the evening.

The Italians had the advantage in shots (6:4) and corners (6:1). Phantoms goalkeeper Andrew Pesci had four saves in earning the shutout.

The Phantoms are now 0-1-1 on the season in the National Premier Soccer League, and will face Rhode Island Reds this coming Sunday at Portsmouth High School for a 4pm kickoff.